Take the thermocouple to the hardware store to purchase a new one. Unscrew the old thermocouple by removing the bolts holding it in place. Remove your thermocouple from the heater using an 8mm wrench. Remove the thermocouple from the system (use the manufacture's guide) 3. Otherwise, pass the job on to someone that can get it done. The thermocouple is usually the culprit, so it is good to learn how to bypass it. Thermocouple and Thermopile on a Gas Fireplace with lit pilot light. How To Bypass a Thermocouple On a Fire Pit ? When troubleshooting, start with the switch and follow your way up the fireplace. Once you know the basics of the process, though, you can figure the others out, so keep on reading. If you are comfortable doing it, then continue on. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. By following steps in this guide, you assume ALL THE RISK! Set your meter to ohms. Made with Newspaper Theme. 2021 tagDiv. See more about Remodeling Calculator team here. You can get a technician to help you make the necessary adjustments. Before you can access the thermocouple, you will need to take the access panel off. Save time and get it done right the first time. Another common culprit is incorrect gas pressure. In most cases, this means that your thermopile (the sensor/valve that keeps an eye on your fireplace temperature) or your oxypilot (the sensor that keeps an eye on your fireplaces oxygen levels) is in need of cleaning. Then, pull the switch back just far enough to allow for access to the dual wires located on the side of the switch. If your gas fireplace still isnt lighting, try using the manual switch next to the fireplaces burner instead. It should be blue, encompass the top third of the thermocouple, and extend down to surround it completely. Manage Settings Heres a quick summary of the steps to follow when checking your fireplaces gas intake: Start by turning your fireplace key on (counterclockwise). It consists of a heat sensor connected to a solenoid; when the sensor is not heated by the pilot flame, the solenoid closes the gas supply line. 4. What new challenges concerning outdoor patio heaters are you facing? Her interests include art and real estate investments. Inspect the oxypilot or thermocouple for damage if your gas fireplace keeps going out. Should thermocouple be in pilot flame? Do you have a fireplace in your house? I use Abundance Plus every day to learn from expert homesteaders and become more self-sufficient. Daffodils and tulips make their early presence known, and of course, there is your Do You Need Chimney or Fireplace Cleaning or Inspection? If you are having problems with your gas fireplace, we recommend you contact a reputable gas fireplace shop or plumber who can assist. 51 . Below is a step by step video of troubleshooting my fireplace with no flame, going through thermocouple, thermopile, verifying that gas valve is good, high limit switch are good, and finding that it was all due to an old ON/OFF switch that costs $3.50 . If you do hear clicking and your fireplace still wont light, there could be an issue with the gas intake. Call Air Experts at 919-480-2727 or contact us online today to schedule furnace repair service! Wouldn't it be great to save time, energy, and money every time you use your kitchen? How do I know if my thermocouple is bad on my gas fireplace? Fireplacetips.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If that works, you likely need a new remote. Remove the thermopile wiring connector from the gas control. It should also be touching the surrounding sensors such as the thermocouple and thermopile. If youre getting gas, but no light yet, try using a lighter to ignite the gas opening. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. If your thermocouple is still in good condition, you should be able to read 25 millivolts of voltage or higher, but if it reads less than 25 millivolts, your thermocouple needs to be replaced. Thats it! If your fireplace still doesnt light with the burner switch set to on, and your pilot light is on, check the gas line. This will case the flame to lift away from the thermocouple, the temperature to drop, and the gas valve to shut off. So, if you decide to make a purchase through one of the links on this site, I receive a commission for it. When thermopile is heated by pilot flame, it begins to make electricity. If you see the probe becoming shiny, then know that its done. Pilot lights should have a blue flame. If your fireplace doesnt light from connecting the wall switchs cables, follow the cables to the fireplace and test the connections along the way (starting with the thermopile leads and working your way up the chain). Detach the thermocouple from the pilot assembly. The junction between these two wires is the measuring point. The location of the burner is at the base of the fireplace unit. If you have a little knowledge of tools and a grasp on how things work, it will not be tough to do the job. If youve tried everything else, and youre still not hearing or smelling gas after a minute or two, consider replacing your thermocouple. He has degrees in science and humanities and years of teaching experience. Due to the function of your thermocouple and thermopile, its only logical that they will build up carbon deposits from burning all the time. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Light some kindling wood or paper first, and wait for it to catch fire to some small logs or pieces of coal. Your pilot should be about 90 percent blue, with very little yellow. After turning your fireplace key, listen for any gas entering your fireplace (you may have to remove your fireplace glass door before you can hear it, see below). As for an empty tank, get a replacement. A nut binds the wires and a bracket together. All of our electronic ignition gas logs come with a remote control that will light the pilot, control the flame height and have a built-in thermostat so you can set a room temperature and maintain it. Stupid thing wouldn't stay on! Is It Too Late to Get a Chimney Inspection in Winter Months? Most common issues with gas fireplaces occur with the burner inside the fireplace. Find your Heatilator product installation or owner's manual. Thermocouple is a device keeps your pilot light lit. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. When youre mounting the TV, make sure to use sturdy equipment. Due to the risk of fire hazards and the difficulty that can arise when it comes to finding the right parts, most experts agree that its better to call a licensed and certified gas technician. Winter Savings - Save up to $800 Save big on new Regency Gas Fireplaces, Inserts, Stoves and Electric Fireplaces this winter. Starting up a gas fireplace begins with shifting the pilot light to the on position. Gas fireplace repair costs $200 to $1,000 on average. If you skip that step, you will be letting out some gas, which can be a fire hazard or health hazard. Sometimes, that leads to issues that can make them frustratinglike going out when you want it to stay lit. The thermocouple must stay in constant contact with the flame of the pilot. Use care when dealing with gas lines. In our troubleshooting guide, we will provide detailed information about patio heater thermocouples and where to locate them. If you do not own a gas analyzer, you can usually rent one. If you havent already, use a wire brush to clean the openings. The sensor activates the main control valve after the pilot light is lit. It would become very frustrating if you were halfway through the process only to find out that you needed to run to the nearest hardware store. eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. However, there are other possibilities out there. Though it will add some risk, not using a thermocouple will only raise the risk to the same level as a gas grill. You can tell if its on if the handle is parallel with the gas pipe. Disconnect the nut that attaches the thermocouple to the gas control valve with your wrench. Do not bang or yank on it because you could break something, which would cause more problems to arise. All Rights Reserved. Remove glass or anything covering the pilot burner assembly. Thermocouples are sensors used to measure temperature. Any gas appliance with a standing pilot needs a thermocouple to keep the pilot lit, whether it cycles on and off automatically, like a water heater, or you operate it manually, like a gas fireplace. Apart from your pilot being lit, the flame must stay a steady blue. You can replace the thermocouple yourself for around $20. Here's a quick guide on how to bypass it: If you normally turn on your fireplace with a wall switch, its wiring or contacts may not be making contact. Honeywell, White Rodgers, and other manufacturers make universal replacement thermocouples, usually with a 30-millivolts (mV) rating for standing-pilot furnaces. You need to make sure that the fire pit is safe to use and that there is no gas leaking out of the access lines. The Fix: Pilot Light to Gas Fireplace Won't Stay Lit Step 1. You just need to make sure that you put safety first. You can contact us via our contact form if you have any inquiries about patio heating. Put them into a jar or bowl to not get misplaced. Get everyone out of the house (pets included) and call 911 once youre outside. Working with Gas and Electricity is very dangerous and should only be done by licensed plumbers / gas fitters / electricians. Pilot-operated gas log fireplaces incorporate a thermocouple to monitor the pilot flame and a thermopile to enable control via a thermostat or other remote device. Step 2: Disconnect the probe from the clamp. Stupid thing wouldn't stay on! If the above steps didnt work for you, heres a slightly different approach that works for many people: For more details on how to test your fireplaces thermopile, check out this post by mygasfireplacerepair.com. When all is said and done, buff the thermocouple using grit sandpaper or a small strip of emery cloth to remove soot and also polish the thermocouple. The thermocouple is a protection device that controls the gas supply to the gas-heated fireplace. With the help of a stainless steel brush and fine-grit sandpaper, you can scrub off as much piled up soot as possible. It costs $150 to $250 to replace a thermocouple. Not all gas fireplaces rely on electricity to function. If you believe there is a serious problem, dont hesitate to contact a professional. A thermocouple allows the gas line to open once its heated up enough. When youre satisfied with the way the thermopile looks, go ahead and re-ignite the pilot light. As the seasons pass, you may find that your gas pressure drops below where it needs to be. As mentioned before that this device will convert thermal energy to electrical energy. Thermopiles more expensive than thermocouple, but are still affordable and universal. When heat is called for, the Nest closes its "switch" and applies 24V . I have two fireplaces (one indoor and one outdoor) and I do what I can to maintain them. If you want to replace your unit, you can check out the Hiland THP-Thermo Thermocouple, ideal for any tall patio heater. Fortunately, many thermocouples may go years without causing this deposit to decrease the functioning of your fireplace. If youd like a visual of the above troubleshooting steps, check out this video by Mike Klimek. Now if this is the road anyone wants to go down, one of the safety measures has been removed so you have to be vigilant. Even a slight residue can make the thermocouple malfunction. If you dont hear clicking, theres likely a problem with your pilot light. Or fastest delivery Today . If the pilot is dirty and needs to be cleaned, you will have a very weak flame. Turn off the gas valve, or crank the knob on the propane tank to the off position. What do thermocouples do? If the flame is blue and weak, and barely reaches the thermocouple, it needs to be stronger. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. The legs are welded together at one end, into a junction, where the temperature is measured. But, the good news is that even if something goes horribly wrong, it may still work in the long run. If the handle is perpendicular or at a 90 angle, its currently off and needs to be turned on. If you dont know where to look for patio heater thermocouples, check around your heaters flame. Remove the thermocouple from the process assembly, using a steel wool or emery cloth, lightly clean the tip removing any build up. Use your screwdriver to loosen the screws on the thermocouple. if you have gas logs it should be located in the same area as the logs. While the wall switches are low voltage and can be handled, if youre uncomfortable with handling wires, hire a professional to check your fireplace and wiring. Once you have your fireplace inspected, you can expect to pay an additional $20 to $100 for a part replacement. Step 2: Disconnect the Thermocouple From the Gas Valve Look at the gas control module and you'll see three copper tubes attached to it. Glass Soots. How do you clean a dirty thermocouple? Normally, the pilot light is enough to heat it, but debris can block and affect the pilot lights flame. Recently, the thermostat (simple mercury switch style) stopped turning the fireplace on as it should. Some gas fired heating equipment relies on an electronic ignition to ignite the flame. Ah, fireplaces. If youre reading it below 25 millimeters, you should purchase a new model. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product. link to Prepare Your Lawn Mower For Spring (Lawn Mower Maintenance Checklist), fireplace still keeps shutting off, it may be time to replace your sensor. 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